Food and Drink

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I hope you are all enjoying the last-minute Christmas preparations as much as I am! Although I still have a bazillion things to do, I've decided to adopt the "whistle while you work" attitude. It would be so easy to be stressed out; but, really...what good would it do me?! Oh, and lest you think me a Pollyanna...I am not always so good at remaining calm in stressful situations; but as I get older I am learning to just do the best I can & let God take care of the details. It's incredibly freeing! (Gosh, why didn't I think of that before now?!!)

So...on that note, I don't have a card sample for you today. I have been spending my evenings wrapping gifts and baking cookies with the kiddos. Last night, Abbi and I made the yummy sugar cookies pictured above for her class party. Well, we made those and about four dozen more because Mom thought it would be a good idea to double the recipe. (What was I thinking?!) I usually make regular icing for my sugar cookies; but this year we went with an egg yolk glaze and piped icing instead. We both LOVE how they turned out...so bright and festive!

I probably won't get any more stamping in between now and Christmas...but you never know! Stranger things have been known to happen! ;)

I am working a 1/2 day today and then hitting the stores for some last-minute stocking stuffers. I have never been this late with my shopping, but this full-time job stuff has really put a cramp in my style. {grin} The good news is, I told my boss that I want to cut my hours back to more of a part-time schedule after the New Year, and she said no problem...yippee! :)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I hope today finds you healthy, happy, and surrounded by loved-ones...whether or not you're celebrating Thanksgiving today! :)

I am thankful for so many, many things. The list is waaaay too long to write here. I do want to let you all know just how thankful I am for YOU, my wonderful blog readers! I began this blog over a year and a half ago, and never could have dreamed I'd have the readership that I have today. I am still amazed that you all keep coming back! {grin} Thank you so much for your kind words and support over these many months. You have been and will continue to be a huge blessing to me! {{{BIG GROUP HUG}}}

Now, I thought I'd share my favorite, favorite part of any Thanksgiving meal...

PIES!!!! Mmm, mmmm, good! This year I decided to try some new variations of our favorite holiday pies.

The top pie is The Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie. My hubby and I were tempted to devour this last night; but it is our oldest son's favorite pie, and he would be so very disappointed if we did. ;)

The middle pie is an old Taste of Home recipe for Cranberry Cherry Pie. This was one of the easiest pies I've ever made, and doesn't it look heavenly?!

In a bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in pie filling and cranberries. Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; trim to 1-in. beyond edge of plate. Pour filling into crust. Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie. Cut slits or shapes in pastry. We used a star-shaped cookie cutter for ours. Place pastry over filling; trim, seal and flute edges. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 375° for 55-60 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on wire rack.

The bottom pie is Paula Deen's Pumpkin Pie. This recipe has cream cheese in it, which already makes it a winner in my book. :)